Construction Updates
Welcome to the launch of our Tregaron Project!
We are excited to be taking the first steps to building a science-centric facility on the Tregaron Campus. The new building (pictured above to the right of the Mansion) is the Project centerpiece, but the impact also includes:
- Reaffirming the School's ongoing partnership with the Tregaron Conservancy
- Landscape improvements around the campus, particularly around the driveway entrance from Macomb Street
- New stairs from Macomb Street entrance to campus level
- Restoration of the four-square garden
- Green roof on the new building
The new building will have biology, chemistry, physics and Middle School science labs, as well as work and preparation areas for the labs. There will be project spaces to display work, a design technology lab and a new dining facility and fully-equipped kitchen. While excavation of the site for the new building does not commence until June 2023, the Project began in December 2022 when the School began preparing to move the Dacha, which currently rests in the footprint of the new building.
The General Contractor selected to partner with us is MCN Build. The selection was made after a rigorous evaluation process overseen by JM Zell, the owner’s representative firm working closely with our Director of Facilities and Board. We are thrilled to have their partnership in this endeavour.
PREPARATORY PHASE: Dacha Relocation
The Dacha was not original to the estate, but was added by Ambassador Joseph Davies and his wife Marjorie Merriweather Post, who purchased the property in 1940, renaming it Tregaron to honor the Welsh town where Davies' father was born. Presumably as an homage to the time he served as U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union, the Dacha was built in 1945 to serve as Davies' retreat.
The Dacha has served a wide variety of purposes over the 40+ years Washington International School has owned Tregaron. Most recently it has provided space for larger groups of students, faculty, and staff to meet. Its new location, in the area to the east of the Mansion Solarium patio, will ensure its ongoing integration into campus life in a setting more appropriate to a building of its type.
Work to prepare the site for the Dacha relocation began during Winter Break 2022–2023. The work will continue through March, with the Dacha taking its historic roll across campus during Spring Break (logistics plan HERE).
EVOLUTION OF THE MANSION CIRCLE
The Mansion Circle is directly in the path that the Dacha will travel during its March 2023 relocation. The leftmost picture represents the "before" view (don't worry, it will eventually be the "after" view as well). The statuary was removed over Winter Break. On February 22, our construction team made quick work of transforming the rest of the circle so the Dacha can travel the smoothest possible path.
The Dacha was added to this location in the mid 1940s.
The Dacha will travel up this gravel pathway to reach its new home.
Future home of the Dacha, adjacent to the Solarium Patio.
The statues have been temporarily relocated to make way for the Dacha.
Fast progress from February 17 to February 21!
Clearing the way for the future move.
Hill no more!
The foundation needs to be exposed so the Dacha can be lifted and moved.
The Dacha's future home!
The chimney had to be dismantled to facilitate the Dacha's move.
The Dacha has been raised and is awaiting transfer to a wheeled base.
Another view of the Dacha waiting for its move.
